Tempera Quirks and Foibles by Benge

video upload by Memetune Studio

"I’ve been exploring granular synthesis since around 1997, when Native Instruments brought out Reaktor, because it was the first system I knew of that had a granular synthesis engine built into it

But even before that I was experimenting with certain samplers that could do a sort of proto-granular thing where you could control the loop start and end end points of a sample independently, and use sliders to scroll through the sample by hand (for example on the Fairlight CMI 2X and also the Akai S612)

But nowadays we have it so easy, as there are a whole slew of desktop granular devices coming out, often based on ARM chips, such as the Tasty Chips GR units, the recent Waldorf synths, the Torso S4, Endorphines Evil Pet, not to mention the Mutable Instruments Clouds and its many derivatives

And then there's this little monster, The Beetlecrab Tempera - a strange and tiny box which takes granular synthesis and does something completely unique with it

It’s got 8 stereo granular samplers at its heart, but the way you interact with them is using the 8x8 touch-points. They are called emitters, and you play them either over midi or using some of the touch-points. You can change and trigger emitters in x - y directions, and it's all extremely complex, and things can get really wild very quickly, so as this is my first patch on it, I decided to keep it simple by using just 2 of the 8 grain samplers

I captured the samples myself using the built in mic (sample 1 is just tapping the box with my fingers, and sample 2 is me humming

It also has comprehensive mixing and FX processors, so here is a little ambient sketch done in real time, using just the Tempera

I’m going to have fun exploring this thing - especially when I integrate it into some of my modular systems, once I have got my head round its many quirks and foibles"

Akai AX60 S612 and MD280 Sampler System SN 01120-04195

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this Reverb listing

AX60 SN 01120-04195

"The AX-60 is a really special polyphonic synthesizer. Akai's answer to the Roland Juno Series, it can hit those sounds well but actually has quite a lot of extra features when comparing to a Juno-106. Paired with the S612 and MD280, the possiblities for this synth grow immensley. With crunchy lofi samples and a classic Juno sound, what else could you ever ask for!

The AX60 is a VCO synth and the oscillator section includes a triangle wave as well as a dedicated pulse width LFO. Additionally, pulse width can be applied to any wave! There are two envelopes, an LFO with sample and hold, and the ability to FM the filter with the oscillator. It even has built in chorus that sounds just like the BBD based chorus in the Juno synths. Finally, there is a built in arpeggiator and bi-timbrel keyboard split options. All these features make it quite a fun synth to use with more range than other vintage poly's.

The AX-60 is a great vintage poly option, especially in the wake of the similar Juno series prices skyrocketing!"

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Akai S612 - The Terminator

video upload by Espen Kraft

"The classic theme from the Terminator played live ad-lib on the Akai S612 with one sample, a C2 from a Roland JX-8P, full filter."

Akai S612 MIDI Digital Sampler

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this Reverb listing

"The first sampler from AKAI - 1985

4khz to 22khz frequency sampling (1 sec. to 8 sec.)

6 voices polyphony

Analog lowpass filter

In good cosmetic condition, with many light traces of rust on the cover, but all other parts are free form rust or humidity traces. Inside is perfectly clean.

Everything works perfect.

This unit have the rare custom Firmware 1.3 from Florian Anwander allowing multi slices, velocity to filter and amp + more.

Some of these features need to be loaded from disk at start, but this disk is missing.

However, the velocity functions are available

The sampler have also been modified with 6 individual outputs. It allows to output each slice to individual output, but also to pan each of the 6 voices individually.

The MD280 disk unit have a new belt and head cleaned

It comes with 6 rare QDD 2.8 inch sample disks, including original AKAI library disks.

Works on 220-240 AC"

Akai S612 MIDI Digital Sampler + MD280 disk unit + 6 disks + rare 1.3 firmware

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this Reverb listing

"The first sampler from AKAI - 1985

4khz to 22khz frequency sampling (1 sec. to 8 sec.)

6 voices polyphony

Analog lowpass filter

In good cosmetic condition, with many light traces of rust on the cover, but all other parts are free form rust or humidity traces. Inside is perfectly clean.

Everything works perfect.

This unit have the rare custom Firmware 1.3 from Florian Anwander allowing multi slices, velocity to filter and amp + more.

Some of these features need to be loaded from disk at start, but this disk is missing.

However, the velocity functions are available

The sampler have also been modified with 6 individual outputs. It allows to output each slice to individual output, but also to pan each of the 6 voices individually.

The MD280 disk unit have a new belt and head cleaned

It comes with 6 rare QDD 2.8 inch sample disks, including original AKAI library disks.

Works on 220-240 AC"

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Akai S612 with Expansions

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via this eBay listing

"Akai S-612 (US model, including voltage converter). It was serviced just last year (faders were cleaned) and works perfectly. It has two additional special features:

1. The XD-280 Disk Emulator, which can be used to run an HxC Gotek floppy disk emulator (this one with an OLED and rotary encoder). A USB stick with a sound library is included.

2. The FDM Filter Defeat Module. The blue button on the front left next to the display allows you to deactivate the anti-aliasing filter in various ways. This can make the S-612 sound like an E-MU SP1200, with a very crunchy sound."

AKAI S612 (1985) Midi Digital Sampler - First Test

video upload by Nacho Marty Meyer

"I just received this wonderful instrument a few hours ago, and this is the first thing I recorded. I sampled a small acoustic piano riff from my friend Korge, taken from one of his Facebook videos (recorded with his phone lol). I wasn’t expecting it to be so immediate to create such interesting new timbres and textures, I'm truly amazed! I always knew it was a fun sampler, but I didn’t realize just how instant and enjoyable the experience would be, especially with so many real-time controls on the front panel. A fantastic lo-fi sound design tool! This is the raw sound of the instrument, no effects, no processing, just a simple piano riff :)"

Akai S612+MD280 MIDI Digital Sampler

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via this listing

Additional Three Wave Music Listings

"Akai S612 and MD280 combo. Units both in excellent condition. Includes 7 disks(see photos). Both units tested and confirmed to function.

The S612 was one of Akai's first professional rack-mount samplers, released back in 1985. Some of its features included 12-bit sampling from 4 to 32kHz with loop and truncate functions, an overdub function and mic or line input jacks. Internal memory is only 128KB which gives a maximum of 8 seconds sampling time at the lowest sampling rate available. An optional disk drive that features the quick disk (QD) 2.8 inch format is needed for permanent storage of samples. Only one sample is stored to each side of the disk."

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Dan Burns Music - Studio Time - Synthesizers

video upload by Dan Burns Music

"An original composition showcasing some favorite synthesizers in my studio, recorded to cassette on the Tascam 238.

Featured instruments:
Akai AX60
Akai S612 Sampler
Yamaha DX7iiD
Crumar Stratus
Casio CZ101

Music composed, performed and produced by Dan Burns.
Copyright 2022.

All footage filmed by Dan Burns with a Panasonic OmniMovie VHS camcorder.

Contact and Bio:
http://danburns.space"

Mangling Audio w/ Akai S612 Audio Demo

video upload by gstormelectro

"Audio + Video by G-Storm Electro c. 2024

Taking an Akai S612 lofi sampler for a spin, various audio sources. Manipulating sample start/end splice points in real time, very few instruments have this ability. Recorded direct via Roland GO:MIXER Pro-X to iPhone."

G-Storm Electro:
MUSIC https://gstormelectro.bandcamp.com/
BLOG http://gstormelectronica.blogspot.com/
LISTEN/DOWNLOAD http://soundcloud.com/gstormelectro
REVERB http://reverb.com/shop/gstormelectro

Akai S612 vintage 12 bit sampler - experimental - FDM - MikeSynth

video upload by Mikus Pilatus

"Nothing too amazing here , but in all that chaos there are moments of goodness to be found .."

Top slider is the start point for the sample; bottom is the end point.

AKAI AX60 w/ S612 Sampler

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this listing

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Creative modular sampling patches | SebSongs Sampler

video upload by Tom Churchill

"This video is about the SebSongs Modular Sampler. It’s a new DIY kit available from Thonk, who kindly sent one over for me to check out. It’s a simple 12-bit mono sampler with about three and a half seconds of memory and a beautifully crunchy, lo-fi sound inspired by vintage machines like the Akai S612.

In this video, I’ve put together a small case with a few of my other favourite modules - the Blukac Endless Processor, the Serge VCFQ and Resonant EQ, the Pladask Dradd effects unit and the Xaoc Devices Sarajewo BBD delay - and I've built a few simple patches that explore some creative uses of sampling."

Akai S612 SN 00750-20531

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

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TAL-U-NO-LX Patch Bank by Espen Kraft | Download now

video upload by Espen Kraft

64 New Patches! Perfect for Pop, Synthpop, Italo Disco, Synthwave etc.

Find the pack here:
https://thepatchbay.io/product/tal-u-...
https://sound7.co.uk/products/tal-u-n...

The drums in the demo can be checked out in the link below. They're part of my "ultimate synthpop/Italo disco" sample pack:"

Italo Disco/SynthPop Sample Pack | Get it NOW!

"I've spent a long time recording, sampling and processing the sounds in this pack, with focus on quality and usability. Each drum sample is taken directly out of the hardware.
Many of the sounds has been made by layering different samples and effects.

This is not a free pack, but I hope you'll see it's priced quite reasonably considering the quality and quantity of the sounds. :)

Get the pack here:
https://sound7.co.uk/products/italo-d...
https://thepatchbay.co.uk/product/the..."

"WELCOME TO THE 80S - A SAMPLE PACK DRIPPING WITH AUTHENTICITY.

Looking for some truly unique samples? Don't want to settle for lesser grade sound-a-likes? This is the the 80's sample pack for you and it's simply oozing retro nostalgia.

With weeks spent recording, sampling and processing the sounds in this pack, there's an unparalleled commitment to quality and usability.

Each drum sample is taken directly out of hardware and many of the sounds have been made by careful layering of different samples and effects to give you the sound that's just ..'perfect'.

With over 600mb of construction kits, on-shots, melody loops, bass-lines and vox shots the hardware kit list in this sample packs creation includes:

Korg Poly-61
Korg DSS-1
Roland Alpha Juno 2
Roland Juno 6
Roland JX-8P
Roland R8
Roland TR-808
Roland TR-909
Roland S-10
Yamaha DX7
Behringer Model D
Sequential TOM drum machine w/EPROM binary Linndrum, DMX and Emulator chips.
E-MU Drumulator

Dr.Böhm "The German Linndrum" drum machine
Elka OMB-5 and Drumstar 80 drum machine
Simmons SDS800 drum machine/brain
BOSS DR-55
BOSS DR-110
Akai S1000
Akai S612
Akai S700
Casio SK-1
Kurzweil K2000"

Sample Format: 44khz / 24 bit

Akai S612 MIDI Digital Sampler + MD280 Sampler Disk Drive - Pro Serviced

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"Both units are in excellent shape and fully operational.

Minor amounts of scuffs, scratches, & rack rash considering the age of these units—mostly on the upper body area of both. There is also a small inconsequential dent on the top of the S612 ( which I saw for the first time in 25 years when I took these out of the rack for repair ). Face plates/fronts are in fantastic shape. Power cables are like new.

Pro Audio Serviced in June 2023.

For the S612: All connectors, headers, controls, jacks, and switches have been cleaned and reset.

For the MD280: Replaced internal drive belt, cleaned drive heads, cleaned and reset connectors/headers."

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Akai S612 MIDI Digital Sampler

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"Perfectly working condition and in original unmodified state. Super simple 8 poliphonic sampler which excells in live splicing/looping as a perect glitch machine."

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Granular Synthesis - Pulse Synthesizers Load Runner Module Demo

video upload by gstormelectro

"Audio + Video by G-Storm Electro c. 2022

Today I am checking out the Load Runner Granular Synthesizer Module by Pulse Synthesizers.
Back in 2018, Youtube user John Crombie was uploading these prototype videos of a sampler in development.
It started out life as a 4-channel sampler
And evolved into the granular processor we now know [videos previously posted here]
How does it differ from Mutable Clouds, Akai S612, and Erica Sample Drum?
Let's take it for a spin and see how it sounds.

Recorded direct, no other mastering or effects.

0:00 | Intro
1:41 | Audio demos"

Resonant filters on 80s Akai samplers | How to do it

video upload by Espen Kraft

"The early S-samplers from Akai did not have resonant filters, but by hooking them up to Akai synths at the time you could still achieve it. The individual voices from the sampler goes out a special connector at the back called "Voice out". All the 80s Akai samplers features this connector. With the appropriate cable you took the output here and connected it to the "Sampler In" on one of the Akai synths of the time.
The Akai AX60, AX73, VX90 and VX600 has these "Sampler In" ports at the back. The AX80 does not, just so you're aware. The AX80 was Akai's first synth and it preceded their first sampler, the S612 and is in many ways the odd one in their catalogue."

Espen Kraft S700 videos

Akai S700 & S900 - MIDI sample dumps | tutorial + bonus S612

video upload by Espen Kraft

"In the 80s when samplers were cutting edge tech, it soon became useful to be able to transfer samples between them. The Midi protocol had a set of rules for this, that not all sampler manufacturers seemed to comply with. Akai was one of those brands. They did it ALMOST by protocol and as such Akai samplers would sometimes be hard to sample dump TO or FROM, from other brands.
Between two Akai samplers, no matter the model, things were ok, as I show in this video."